A federal judge dismissed Raymond Epps' defamation lawsuit against Fox News, marking the second time the court ruled against him. Epps alleged that Fox falsely accused him of being a government operative involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, which led to significant harassment and threats against him and his family. The judge, Jennifer L. Hall, concluded that Epps failed to demonstrate that Fox knowingly aired false information, a requirement for proving defamation. Epps, a former marine and member of the far-right Oath Keepers group, claimed the network's conspiracy theories forced him to sell his ranch in Arizona and live in a recreational vehicle to escape harassment. Fox News welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the protection of press freedoms under the First Amendment. Epps had previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor related to the Capitol incident and was pardoned by former President Donald Trump, who also granted clemency to approximately 1,500 others involved in the attack.